New SSD recommendations?

Like the title says—I'm looking for the best 240 GB SSD. It needs to be from somewhere like HGSrot, Instar, or Links. I know they aren't exactly the gold standard for shopping, but I need the store to be located in Cleveland. I don't want to deal with paying shipping fees from New York City just to end up spending the same amount anyway.
I spotted a UV400 at HGSpot for $259, maybe that's the one? There's a ton of newer stuff out there now, like Transcend, but I'm not really sure about their quality. Can anyone shed some light on that? So, HGSpot, Instar, and Links are all on the table. Thank you 🙂

Samsung 850 evo $291 because it comes with a 60-month warranty and is honestly one of the best drives on the market right now.

Just grab Crucial MX300 275 GB for $259 at Links...

analogtiger19 said:Just stab it. Crucial MX300 275 GB I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you please clarify what you meant? $259 Over at Links...

Only 36 months...
One review.
The Samsung 850 evo is likely the most reliable SSD ever made. It’s easily the most popular choice on the market right now, too. Honestly, this drive is in a league of its kind, which is why Samsung can afford to price it $10-$20 higher than the competition.

Crucial MX300 is a great SSD as well. While it doesn't quite match the Samsung 850 evo in terms of performanca, it remains a solid, dependable drive from a top-tier manufacturer. In my opinion, Crucial MX300 is The Best SSD in terms of performanca / value. That said, overall Samsung is Better.

Look, I get that the Samsung way is usually the move, but we're working with a tight student budget here. A buddy of mine is picking this up, and he isn't about to drop an extra $25 just because of a brand name if he doesn't have to. That’s why I’m looking at these cheaper options. I know the UV400 is solid, but I totally blanked on the MX300, and honestly, the price point is right where I want it.

Btw, sorry for the double post, but what’s the deal with THIS? Client edition? What does that even mean?

Alexander Moore67 said:just 36 months......
one review
The Samsung 850 evo is likely the gold standard for reliability. It’s easily the most widely used SSD out there, too. Since they basically own the market, Samsung can afford to charge $10-$20 more than everyone else just because they know people will buy it.

The Crucial MX300 is also a solid choice. While the Samsung 850 evo in terms of performanca takes the lead, you’re still getting a dependable drive from a major player. Crucial MX300 is The Best SSD in terms of performanca / value. That said, Samsung is Better.

That's all true... I've got a Samsung in my rig, but honestly, $267 I haven't seen any of them offer more than a 36-month warranty, whereas this MX300 gives you about 30GB more capacity than the competition in its class. ☕

Adam Moore3 said:Btw, my bad for the double post, but what's the deal with THIS? Client edition? What does that even mean?

Never mind, just marketing... you've got Client edition and Enterprise edition....(EVO and PRO)

analogtiger19 said:Well, it's just marketing... you've got the Client edition and the Enterprise edition...(EVO and PRO)

No, no, no... there's actually more to it. I was googling it earlier, though I didn't quite wrap my head around all of it. This Client edition stuff is usually what gets shipped pre-installed in laptops or via OEM systems. For example, look at the client edition versus the "real" 850 EVO over at Instar. The difference lies in $33, but what else? 🙂

There's also a 6GB difference in capacity if you really want to get technical about it 😬

Yeah, exactly, but there’s still a lot more to it. 😁 Basically, these are the SSDs they sell to their partners—companies like Dell and Lenovo—who then just slap them straight into their laptops. The other one has a different memory controller and doesn't even use that 3D V-NAND if I remember correctly; this is the Client edition. It's got slower write speeds, too. There's definitely a difference, so there's no way it can be $33 cheaper while being exactly the same 😬
In the end, I'm leaning towards the MX300, that cheaper Samsung, or maybe even the UV400. Anyone else have suggestions? Can someone tell me specifically which of these would be the absolute best? Though, yeah, I know... it's mostly just tiny nuances you wouldn't even notice during everyday use.

APACER as 330 Panther Series 240

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...sd-review.html

crimsonstag84 is suddenly dropping names like Apacer out of nowhere 😬 Is it actually any good? Does it beat out the MX or a budget Samsung? Or maybe the UV400?

It’s definitely better than the Kingston. You're looking at the MX300 class, which is a bit pricier (plus you get more storage), but I don't think they have the MX300 in stock at Links. You could skip the shipping fees entirely, and if it helps, you can always grab it on nine interest-free installments if that works better for you. 😛

Adam Moore3 said:Oh, absolutely—there's just a lot more to consider. 😁 Essentially, these are SSDs they supply to partners like Dell and Lenovo to be pre-installed in their laptops. This specific client edition uses a different memory controller and, if I recall correctly, doesn't utilize that 3D V-NAND technology. The write speeds are slower, too. There is definitely a tangible difference; there's no way it could be $33 cheaper and still be identical to the 😬
In the end, the choice comes down to the MX300, that cheaper Samsung, or maybe even the UV400. Any other suggestions? Can anyone tell me specifically which one of these would be the best? Then again, I know most of this is just nuance that you wouldn't even notice during everyday use.

Yep, there's a difference

The PM871a writes slower than the EVO models; the controller is weaker, and the write IOPS are lower as well.

It's mostly intended for OEM machines, so I'm not quite sure how it even ended up available for retail sales.

crimsonstag84 said:It’s definitely better than Kingston. It’s in the same class as the MX300, which is a bit pricier (and offers more storage), but you can't find the MX300 at Links. You won't have to worry about shipping costs here, and you can even grab it on 9 interest-free monthly installments if that works better for you. 😛

It isn't for me—it's for a friend—but honestly, I don't mind dropping $267 instead of 700 if there's a real difference. I know Samsung is the best buy, but we're talking serious money now $300. Basically, the MX is the middle ground? The MX isn't available in Cleveland, but I can order it from San Diego; waiting a few days isn't a big deal.

Timothy Kim60 said:Yep, there's a difference

Mostly it's meant for OEM machines; I have no idea how it even ended up in retail sales.

Yep, I figured it couldn't be this $33 cheaper without some kind of catch. There absolutely is one.

All in all, the MX seems like the way to go. I think I'll just order it through Links for delivery.

Adam Moore3 said:It’s not for me—it’s for a friend—but I don't see an issue with getting the $267 instead of the 700 if there's a noticeable difference. I know Samsung is the best buy, but we're talking prices approaching $300 now. Basically, the MX seems like a solid middle ground. You can't find the MX in Cleveland, but I can order it from San Diego; waiting a few days isn't a big deal.

Yep, I figured it couldn't just be $33 cheaper without any actual trade-offs. There definitely is one.

All in all, the MX seems like the way to go. I think I'll just order it through Links to have it delivered.

If it's only a $1.50 difference for an extra 2 years of warranty, I'd still go with Samsung, but if money is tight, just get a standard drive.😁

It looks like I'll be going with the Smarticev Apacer after all, since the MX300 isn't even available at any Linksov stores anymore. 🤦